Designing a Sense of Community. a Cohousing Case Study

Intentional communities such as cohousing are among the alternative community models that are socially and ecologically healthy. Dissemination of this housing type depends on understanding the source of its apparent success. The principles of social contact design are regarded as a basic component of cohousing. This action research study report presents the case study of Lake Claire Cohousing in southeastern United States. It discusses whether its social contact design features contribute to the development and consolidation of a sense of community and environmental stewardship among the neighbors.